“Icons in Transformation” at the Riverfront Gallery of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral in Harrisburg
Fall officially started a few days ago, and the bittersweet sentiment for the season is shared by many.
Nature’s handiwork in all its glorious array often leaves us breathless with wonder. The season’s glory is over within a mere passage of months, and without fail, the final leaves drop by Thanksgiving. There will be piles of leaves to rake, apple cider to drink and share, football and soccer games to cheer at and the list goes on. The greatest art exhibit of the season can be seen right outside your front door or from your back porch. Autumn art brings a kaleidoscope of color to exhibits near and far.
Here are a few of the highlights from Adams to York Counties and all in between. Mark your calendars and set the dates from the start of October through the end of the year of art you won’t want to miss.
Art Happenings Now: Just mere days left! Catch them before they are gone. Ceramic Works by Carolanne Currier and Jack Troy at the Rose Lehman Art Gallery through Oct. 3 at Harrisburg Area Community College. Be sure to see Evan Summer’s Remnants of the Future through Oct. 5 at the Trout Gallery of Dickinson College in Carlisle.
Mark the Calendar:
Oct. 5 is significant as its date speaks to a number of noteworthy art endeavors. “American Craft Week” kicks off with a celebration at the newly reopened One Good Woman at 1801 Market St., Camp Hill. Shop that Saturday in preparation for artisans’ arrival on Saturday, Oct. 12, crafting and selling their wares from 9 to 4. While over in Carlisle, how do you keep them down on the farm when art hath such charm? Join them together for Carlisle Art Learning Center’s (CALC) fundraiser to help Farmers On The Square at Roots Flower Farm. Locally sourced food and beverages with artists creating saleable art all for a great cause. And don’t forget Lancaster City’s Art Walk Weekend, Oct. 5 and 6.
Lancaster Fall Art Walk
And you thought Lancaster only had shoofly pie…Venture to Lancaster City to catch the Fall Art Walk the weekend of Oct. 4 to 6. First Friday, Oct. 4, provides the initial preview with nearly 40 galleries and museums opening their doors from 10 a.m. to closing time. Start on Gallery Row (Prince Street), host to more than a half-dozen venues in a three-block span. Highlights for the weekend include Saturday hours, 10 to 5, and Sunday, 12 to 4. Be sure to wish a happy 94th birthday to nonagenarian artist, Dr. Robert A. Nelson, who is presenting his famous collage drawings, as well as his customary art, “Release From the Vault” at CityFolk Gallery at 146 North Prince St. “Vault” issues include his works across varied mediums. While on Prince Street, be sure to visit neighbors Christiane David Gallery at 112, Artisans Gallery at 114, Red Raven Art Company at 138, Liz Hess Gallery at 140, Freiman Stolzfus Gallery at 142, and The Pennsylvania College of Art and Design at 204. Two outstanding art museums include Lancaster Museum of Art at 135 N. Lime St. and the Demuth Museum at 120 E. King St., which is located in modernist painter Charles Demuth’s former home and studio. Then venture further to all downtown galleries and artist studios for more excitement.
Museums
The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The “Picturing a More Perfect Union” exhibit opens Nov. 22 through April 26, featuring Violet Oakley’s studies of her work for the
Pennsylvania Senate chamber murals. This exhibit is mounted in commemoration of the centennial for the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.
Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM): Catch The Harrisburg Sketchers on location at SAM through Oct. 27 and “Hidden City,” a collection of plein air landscape paintings from artist, Valerie Larko through Nov. 17. A collection of photographs culled from 40 photographers creates “Wars Only Half the Story,” featured in SAM’s Main Gallery Oct. 12 to Jan. 19 from the groundbreaking, “The Aftermath Project.” Also featured in the main gallery, from Oct. 19 through Jan. 19, is artist Inka Essenhigh, whose mythological paintings come to life. In the DeSoto Family Vault, “Dreams” by Peter Ydeen, runs Nov. 1 to Jan. 12. Photosurrealist Ydeen captures the city of Easton in a series of photos that looks for a city gone missing. His series is hauntingly heightened by the cover of night.
The Lancaster Museum of Art: Pennsylvania Watercolor Society’s 40th “International Juried Exhibition” runs through Oct. 26.
Demuth Museum: Henry Libhart: “Ravishing Realism” runs through Nov 10. This exhibition explores the life and work of Lancaster County artist Henry Libhart. He is known for his trompe l’oeil still life paintings in oil and watercolor.
Art Associations
Adams County Art Council: But first a word from our sponsor. The apple of our eye…bushel baskets of red and gold, pumpkins by the pound and the best apple cider donuts can be found at Hollabaugh’s Farm Market on 545 Carlisle Rd. in Biglerville headed into Gettysburg. Stop on your way to “First Fridays” at the Adams County Art Council located at 125 S. Washington St. Nov. 1 opens the members only show, which runs to the end of November.
The Art Association of Harrisburg: “Hope, Memory and Pride” runs Oct. 18 to Nov. 21. LGBT exhibit, in which artists view equality in conjunction with Dickinson College archives chronicling the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall, a watershed event in the LGBT Movement. In addition, an exhibit highlighting the opium crisis, “Bits & Pieces of the Past,” features the award winning art of Maria Maneos, pioneer of “Brush With the Law.” Also “Psychic Gallery” comes Nov. 9 with advance tickets for sale…but you already knew that.
Carlisle Art Learning Center (CALC): “People and Places” by Kim Stone and Pat Walach Keough features a collection of new works with candid observations of everyday scenes captured in plein air-inspired style. Main gallery Sept. 27 to Nov. 2. In the upper gallery through Oct. 25, “The Balkan Back Story,” photographs by Janet Powers, professor Emerita at Gettysburg College, who researched women’s recovery from the Bosnian War.
The Hershey Area Art Association: Weekend of Oct. 19 to 20 “Annual Members Show” of new art at The Hershey Historical Society Museum. Weekend of Dec. 5 to 8 in the Community Room at Spring Hill Suites on Rt. 39 next to the Antique Automobile Car Association Museum, features winter-themed member art.
Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts: All exhibits open “First Fridays” with musical performances afterwards at 7:30 p.m. The council’s building is located at 770 Cumberland St, Lebanon. On Oct. 4,York-based artist, John Terlazzo, who paints in the style of Fauves using bright colors that visually reference eastern cultures. Nov. 1, Jolene Windmiller of Mt. Gretna paints both real and imagined landscapes in addition to creating stain glass windows. Dec. 6, Elaine Martin, watercolorist, who paints what she views in her eastern county Lebanon neighborhood.
Millersburg Art Association (Gallery on the Square): “Something for Everyone” by artist Carrie Feidt. The show runs through Oct 12. The Art of PA Game News” by artist and Millersburg native, Dana Bellis, who illustrated for the Pennsylvania Game New Magazine from 2011 to 2018. He will be offering hand-signed and numbered giclee prints from his cover art. Show runs Oct 16 to Nov 16.
Perry County Council of the Arts: Oct 18 to Jan 11. Artisan marketplace at the PCCA Gallery, 1 S. Second St, Newport. Special holiday exhibition featuring locally made fine art and handcrafts by emerging and professional artists. Oct. 18 to Nov. 2, “Arts for All” exhibition at Landis House, 67 N. Fourth St. Explore an exhibition of art work created in the Arc of Cumberland and Perry Counties (CPARC) and PCCA six-week inclusive art classes for all ages and abilities led by Tom Oakes. Select pieces will be highlighted in this exhibition opened to the community. Nov. 15 to Jan. 17. Fifth Annual Juried Exhibition at Landis House. Original artwork in a variety of media will be on display during this annual exhibition.
The York County Art Association: Annual Fall Membership Show through Oct. 19. The 49th annual Juried Art Show runs Nov. 3 to Dec. 14 at 220 S. Marshall St.
Colleges and Universities – Go to the head of the class. Art class that is, as these institutions of higher learning are offering stellar shows this fall.
Dickinson College: The Trout Gallery: Through Oct.19, “Water,” artist Edward Burtynsky’s photographic plea to rethink our greatest yet shrinking natural resource before it’s gone. Burtynsky’s “Hope is that his pictures stimulate thinking about what can be done to save planet Earth’s supply before it’s too late.” “Water” is organized by the New Orleans Museum of Art. Beginning Oct. 11 to Feb. 1 is a collection of Buddhist sculpture in the exhibit Manifestation and Adaptation: Variations in Buddhist Sculpture Across Asia. Nov. 1 to Feb. 15 marks the collection of developments in Japanese printmaking in Abstract Traditions: Postwar Japanese Prints from the DePauw University.
Gettysburg College: “Schmucker Art Gallery” through Nov. 12. “Artful Nature and The Legacy of Maria Sibylla Merian,” which features 18th-century prints by German naturalist and artist, Maria Sibylla Merian. “1647-1717” The exhibit is curated by Gettysburg college students. Emily Roush ’21 and Shannon Zeitman ’21 under the direction of professors Felicia Else and Kay Etheridge. Artists Susanne Slovick and Andrew Ellis Johnson’s exhibit running through Dec. 6, “Getting There,” posits the question that migrants and refugees face in the fear of the unknown and the stranger that reveals our own collective conscience.
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC): Rose Lehrman Art Gallery hosts Brenton Good’s exhibit, “An Edge is First a Cut,” Oct. 14 to Nov. 7. The student honors photography exhibit runs from Nov. 18 to Dec. 5.
Lebanon Valley College: “Suzanne H Arnold Art Gallery” Nov. 1 to Dec. 15. “Insider/Outsider” Exhibit spans the development of social realism starting with the Ashcan School in the early 20th century. A cultural shock to many, social realist art turned it’s back on academic traditions instead, staging subjects from the working class population. Paintings, photographs and prints speak to furthering social activism.
Messiah College: “The Galleries at Messiah College,” Oct. 18 to Nov. 26. Two art exhibitions from the Bowden Collection: “Was God Dead?” Biblical imagination in German expressionist prints. Otto Dix: “Matthaus Evangelium” Oct. 18 to Nov. 26. Nora Sturges: “Postcards from the Unknown” Dec. 6 to Jan. 29. Artist Nora Sturges unearths mystery and more in her paintings at the Messiah College Aughinbaugh Art Gallery.
Millersville University: “Susan C. and Gerald C. Eckert Art Gallery” First Fridays at The Ware Center. “Diasphoric Musing” Oct. 23 to Dec. 6. Featured artists: Sharif Bey, Michael Clemmons, Mary Hakim Martin and Paul Andrew Wandless. Sykes Gallery, “Cowboys and Carpenters” artists Sutton Demlong and Alex Schecter runs Oct. 21 to Jan. 29 at 60 W. College Ave.
Shippensburg University: “Kauffman Gallery” at The Huber Art Center. “Fantastic Function” Sept. 30 to Oct. 23. Art students create unique clothing!
Harrisburg Churches
Riverfront Gallery: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral and School. 221 N. Front St. The gallery features regional artists that rotates artwork three times a year. Now showing through November 3rd is a touring exhibit of contemporary and traditional iconography entitled “Icons in Transformation” by artist Ludmila Pawlowska.
Zion Lutheran Church: 15 S. 4th St. On view is traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy by Diana Neng; paintings and drawings by Max Tillet; and additional artwork by friends of Zion. An extensive collection of original stencil prints by Japanese artist Sadao Watanabe will also be available thru Oct. 17.
Salem United Church of Christ: 231 Chestnut St. Barbara James features mixed-media works. Larry Lombardo, signature member of both the American and National Watercolor Societies, will be exhibiting watercolors as well as paintings thru Oct. 17.
Pine Street Presbyterian Church: 310 N. 3rd St. “The Finkle Family Fine Art” is featured with mixed-media paintings by Joanne, ink and pencil drawings by M. Lou Girard, wood/stone sculptures by Bob Finkle and John Hertzler, and wooden bowls by Lou Pulvino through Oct. 17.
Schools
Art Center School and Galleries: 18 Artcraft Dr., Mechanicsburg. The Red Barn hosts “The Seven Lively Artists Show” through Oct.18, has grown to 15 and includes William Anderson, Earl Blust, Domnick Brandt, Jim Bricker, Karl Foster, Jonathan Frazier, Paul Gallo, John Hassler, David Henry, Ralph Hocker, W. T. Kerman, Dave Leber, Don Lenker, John McNulty and Steve Wetzel. So get lively and grab your partner and do-si-do. After all, you are in a barn.
Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School (CASA): 150 Strawberry Square, 3rd and Walnut streets, Harrisburg. CASA Visual Art Student Exhibition, through Oct. 17.
Independents
Lebanon Picture Frame and Fine Art Gallery, LLC: 847 Cumberland St, Lebanon. Local collage artist, Tina Valgenti, will be exhibiting pieces of her most recent collage art for the month of October. Tina uses her discriminating eye to accumulate unique assemblages of individual items and forms them into a whole to create wonderful pieces of modern art. Oct. 4 to Oct. 26. Local abstract painter, Dennis Easter, will be exhibiting his most recent abstract paintings for the month of November. The exhibit will open on Friday, November 1st during the First Friday Art Walk thru November 30th. Dennis employs an “add and subtract” technique in which he stacks lays of colors and partially washes away some while building on others with an end goal of creating an atmosphere where the colors and shapes speak to each other. Two of the region’s most accomplished premier oil painters, Robert Heilman and Jean Zaun, will be jointly exhibiting their most recent oil paintings for the months of December and January.
Moss Creek Art: 315 Bridge St, New Cumberland. Guest gallerist from Lancaster, Liz Hess, whose art works will be featured during the holiday season.
Paper Lion Gallery: 1217 Hummel Ave, Lemoyne. “Mamacha Carmen” photographic series by Dilmar Mauricio Gamero Santos, celebrating the Peruvian Festival of the Virgin of Mount Carmel. Sept. 28 to Nov. 2.
HMAC House of Music Arts and Culture: 1110 N 3rd St. Fall 3rd in the BURG schedule. Oct 18, artist/author Bethany Nicolle, Nov. 15 Boxer Charles Feathers featuring bootleg and “R76” and Dec. 20 features pop culture artist/photographer/comic book writer, “Kevyn Knox”
The Millworks: 340 Verbeke St. Oct. 15 to Nov. 10, new works by Elaine Brady Smith, Christine Goldbeck, Andrew Guth, Judy Kelly, Yachiyo Beck and Lori Sweet. Nov. 12 to Jan. 12 is the all-inclusive artists show. Cash and carry exhibit for the holiday season. Nov. 30 the Odd Ones Holiday Bazaar featuring 37 in house artists plus over 20 outside vendors throughout the building will have for purchase locally sourced, unique hand crafted items for the holiday season. Event runs 11 a.m. to 5 pm.
Vivi on Verbeke: 3rd in the BURG’s place to be. Oct. 18, Nov. 15 and Dec. 20. “Our dedicated effort towards the strengthening and revitalization of a creative and inspiring Midtown Harrisburg” (Vivian Sterste). The gallery is open most Friday and Saturdays. Specializing in pottery with panache; photographs with patina; sculptures that sizzle and heedful herbal and natural crafts created. All to be seen and appreciated up close.
